Guiding with a binoviewer

[ferozious]

g'day all
recently got myself a binoviewer, and I just had this idea that I thought I'd run past you guys
Can I use my binoviewer for guiding?
in that, I mean guidescope in one eyepiece socket, imaging camera in the other
sure, both cameras may not be parfocal, but eye eyepiece socket has its own focus, albeit minimal
what yas reckon?
TIA
Cheers

[Rerouter (Ryan)]

If you can reach focus, and the guiding arc seconds per pixel ends up less than 10 bigger than the main camera you can probably get away with it, recommended is less than 5,

Just likely a loss of quality due to going through the splitter

[glend (Glen)]

Cameras rarely have the same focal distance requirement as EPs. It is very common that Newtonian set up for visual use, fail to produce enough in-focus range to bring a camera to focus.
Imaging Newts can focus cameras but also may need extension tubes for all EPs to reach focus.
What kind of scope are you using?

[gregbradley]

Originally Posted by glend

Cameras rarely have the same focal distance requirement as EPs. It is very common that Newtonian set up for visual use, fail to produce enough in-focus range to bring a camera to focus.
Imaging Newts can focus cameras but also may need extension tubes for all EPs to reach focus.
What kind of scope are you using?

Yeah I imagine that would be the issue. If you are using a one shot colour camera and these CMOS cameras typically have a 17.5mm backfocus then you should be fine. Some of the better eyepieces have 17.5mm of eye relief.
But that is a guess.

But with a mono camera you may have trouble as the filter wheel adds another 15-21mm thickness depending on the brand.

A worthwhile experiment. These CMOS sensors come with a 1.25mm adapter like an eyepiece barrel.

Greg.